A Government delegation met with representatives of the protesters to discuss the Pathways Bill, however a resolution has not been reached, Premier Michael Dunkley said this evening, adding that “we believe we put reasonable proposals on the table to break the impasse but our opposites could not get support from their respective stakeholders.”

The Premier’s comments follow after today’s gathering, which saw people surround the House of Assembly building with their arms interlocked, blocking MPs access to the building and resulting in today’s session of the House being cancelled.

The Premier said, “I recognise that there is considerable concern in our community regarding today’s demonstration at the House of Parliament… activity which prevented Members of Parliament from entering the House of Assembly, and actions which prevented MP’s from conducting the people’s business.

“Though there have been ongoing discussions with various bodies, at this time, a resolution has not been reached. Know that Government is actively working to find a resolution in the best interest of all of Bermuda.

“During the course of the day, a Government delegation met with representatives of the protesters to discuss the Bill.

“We believe we put reasonable proposals on the table to break the impasse but our opposites could not get support from their respective stakeholders.

“At this point, I can only say that we will continue to work through this challenge to bring about a satisfactory conclusion.

“The proposed legislation that lies at the centre of today’s protest, the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act, is intended to achieve three important purposes:

“First, it will end unjust regulations that have divided families and left in limbo people who were born here or came at a very young age.

People block one entrance to the House this morning

“Second, it will extend membership in our community to people and families who’ve been living and working with us for decades – people who’ve been vetted, approved and renewed by succeeding governments for continued residency and employment.

“They are people we know personally – neighbours, fellow workers and relatives – who have proved their commitment the Island over time.

“The third purpose of the Bill is to strengthen and protect Bermuda’s economic future.

“Bermuda is facing a demographic crisis caused by the fact that Bermudians are dying off faster than we are being born.

Video statement from the Premier

“This trend, if not reversed, threatens our ability to support the health insurance and pension plans that so many Bermudians rely on. Already, public pension and health insurance schemes are under-funded by hundreds of millions of dollars. It is a situation that must be turned around.

“Bermuda, in short, needs more people to support our economic system, and the Pathways programme will help us achieve that.

“It will stabilize our ability to grow into the future, keeping people and families here to grow and invest in the Island, and to pay into vital programmes that protect the social services that support all Bermudians.

“Essentially, it is a step for the long-term economic health of the Bermudian people.”

“This is what we are trying to achieve with this Bill.

“It is not about diminishing birthrights, or cultural identity, or the power to vote. Rather, it is about making sure we work together effectively and inclusively to build a strong economy that can support the Bermudian people going forward.

“Finally, this Government is working hard towards an economic recovery that extends into every Bermudian home.

“In the meantime, I want to urge everyone to exercise patience, tolerance and respect for one another. Be assured that your government will continue to reach out in an effort to find a solution that works for all Bermudians.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Update: We tried to open comments back up after a 20-hour suspension, however unfortunately some people have taken this as an invitation to leave racist comments, so we are re-closing. Sorry to all those who leave decent comments, especially our ‘regular’ commentators, however right now as tensions are so high we are being deluged with an unprecedented amount of unprintable comments.

only we she aint faking is if she took the weekend off…. that chick couldnt possibly have lasted 6 days…. but um bin known to be wrong before, good for her if she did i guess, im trying to loose weight this time of year aswell, just got back from the gym

And he had the nerve to use Patience, Tolerance and Respect after we’ve been through, no Referendum, Jet Gate, Water Front Gate, de Canadian Airport and now flooding the island with his potential voters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You had a RESOLUTION, scrap this Bull S!@# of a Bill and do it RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you notice the colour of the people at the Sunday night rally 95%. White The premier. In his statement last night said Bermuda is facing a demographic crisis What he really means is that there are. Not enough white people on the. Island We all know that 95%+ whites. Will vote oba Back in the day that’s why we had imported workers from the england The premier says that he is listening to the people but he is not because if he was he would Hear what. The people. Are saying.

I think classifying this as a race issue is a bit too simple. More specifically I would say it’s a socioeconomic issue. Due to previous policies the disenfranchised have been left dependent on the state for their well being, hence the bloated civil service leftover from a government that was elected to improve their circumstances but did so at the expense of the nation as a whole.

Is there a race element? Of course. That’s true of almost any issue throughout history. The question is, will it rule your train of thought at the expense of your own critical thinking ability? The premier spelled out his reasoning for this proposal. Perhaps you can be more clear as to why you oppose other than it came from the white devil trying to bring more of his white friends to cause whitepocalypse.

The people are saying quite a few things. Have you listened to them lately?

The vigil clearly shows that most of the people there were those who are to benefit from ‘Pathway.’ Not Bermudians. Out of the reported hundreds of people there, at best, only a handful were actually Bermudians.

Also the vigil showed, one particular race that would largely benefit from pathway. One particular race, which indeed, in one sweep change the political landscape.

I think England should do the same thing and change the laws just for Bermuda, so no Bermudians can move to England. In fact I think the United Nations should impose laws just for Bermuda, and don’t stop there….all the foreign business that built this island should leave, all the airlines should pack up, the world should stop exporting to Bermuda, because we don’t want any Bermudian jobs lost, and surely the unemployed can make cars, food, electricity and surport Bermuda them selves. I think all only Bermudian music should be played, because surely it’s taking away from the Bermudian artist, so please don’t play reggae or rap.

Let’s go inderpendant, so Bermudas money can drop and the Bermudians won’t be able to leave because a ticket cost 3 months salary.

Please take away Cable, because we only need Zbm and zfb, and all these shows we watch are just a bunch of foreigners…

Let’s act like gombeys weren’t from the Caribbean, and cod fish breakfast isn’t a knock off of Aki and salt fish…

Bermuda can export onions to the world…aaaa but how will we ship them? Damn ok…they can pick them up….

That’s not the problem, the problem is there has to be a reasonable limit for the newcomers and a comprehensive census and dialogue on unemployed Bermudians and the jobs that they can do that is already being done by foreign labor. Those that have been here and have made up their mind that this is their Cash Cow and have no intensions of leaving even though they have a choice, and want to get status, should be given a choice to denounce their birthright where they were born or NO status. And those of same sex or opposite sex in a long term relationship overseas to come here and work without STRICT immigration scrutiny is a F!@#ing JOKE and this must be the ONLY place in the world that would allow that DUMB S!@# !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this is what Mr. Premier says.” Already, public pension and health insurance schemes are under-funded by hundreds of millions of dollars. It is a situation that must be turned around ” Yes they get it ( the protesters ) but tell them how giving away status will change that when those foreigners here already contribute to both and will not change one bit if a foreigner or a local contribute to either or both ?

Because after contributing to your economy for often well in excess of 20+ years! currently when these people reach retirement age, they are forced to leave the island, taking their retirement pots with them, to spend elsewhere. What part of this is so hard to understand?

But that’s what they will do with or without status, it’s a myth that any significant proportion of those given status will remain on island. Force them to put their retirement pots where their mouths are and make status contingent on property ownership.

@Common Sense, they are not forced to leave, they’ve accomplished what they set out to do, that is live the rest of their life in their homeland where their money would stretch MUCH further then if they stayed in Bermuda.

Are you serious!! Do you really think that these guest worker can retire in Bermuda, they just about can afford to live here while their employed, I’ve worked with countless amount of guest workers over 30 plus years, and all they talk about is how much they will get when they transfer their money back home, and how large they will live when they retire back in their own country, they send money home every month buying homes and setting up business have no intention of staying here, Bermuda is for the wealthy.

They have their children here so they think they have a better chance for them or their children to have a better life rather then having their children born in the country they where from. Cash Cow Syndrome

Ask their parents? After all, they are the ones who decided to raise their kids here for X-years knowing full well the situation their kids would be in. Bermuda now owes their kids status because the parents were selfish? No, sorry we don’t.

What madness you speak about. The children are not stateless. They apply and receive status & passports from the country from which their parents are born from. How in holy hell do you think they travel back and forth on vacation you spineless jellyfish? I dislike when people spread false propaganda.

Mr. Dunkley please do not compromise on this issue. We elected the OBA to govern Bermuda and if you give into these lot they will do this every week ! Truth is if it was not this issue it would be another ! I will not be voting for your party if you give in to this nonsense .

Since you seem to think they are making a wise choice as the O.B.A, then why have the also raised land tax for the middle and lower class, but reduced the land tax for the wealthy, how the hell does that add up in today’s present climate, and just who in the island do you think this government is out to please, it sure is not the middle or lower class, regardless of race.

First a significant portion of the population by the polls 30%, suggest that they do not want any immigration policies that would allow any foreigner in under any circumstance. You cannot negotiate with that mindset. No is No.

Second the PLP has drawn the race card on issue making it about voting and suggested voting patterns thus polarizing some further into felling marginalized. Reason goes out the window at this point.

The PLP base would like you to believe the OBA is doom and gloom for the future and anyone given status by the government of the day would remain loyal to that government regardless of race or future mismanagement of government. The PLP base knows they cannot compete for the new voters support given their usual rhetoric so its best not to include them and keep them as second class citizens without representation.

What the PLP base fail to realize or learn from recent history 1998 and 2012 is when a government is so bad they get voted out. Let remember the power of the marginal voter in those elections who will do what is best for themselves and the country regardless of any political allegiance. The current PLP base rhetoric on the issue has put the new voters squarely in the camp of the OBA at the next election at a minimum. The OBA did not do it the PLP did.

human right r u serious. all permit holders sign a declaration that clearly stats this work permit is a work permit not a way to to become a bermudian(in layman terms).Were on that permit application that it says that. I have foreign workers working for my company n all of them n even 1 that work for other companies that have no desire to live here the rest of their lives cause they all no what the sign n what the work says on it. to b honest i really if u go court n based on the agreement from those people who sign that application that will not be able to reside her permanently to be honest none of them should be given status but should b allowed to live here cause u knew as a adult what u was signing now for their kids it is a different storey. they didn’t sign anything of that nature so we should provide a path for them but just to open the flood gates is act of accountability n unresponsible

That is what the people that have been camping on the hill think too. Now do you see why there can’t be collaboration, those demanding it don’t actually want it, they just want to block any reform that would provide citizens with rights they would have earned.

in short it is a move to attract people to our shores! after you been here for x number of years you become an onion. I think that the only way someone should get status is by marrying A Bermudian straight or gay. other than that we are forever lost. these same people protesting came from some where! last we need, is people with different ideas come our shores blend in a next we know Bermudians are just wall warmers.

Surely both sides don’t have to agree the amendments before the activists stand down.

Why is it so hard for the OBA Government to agree that they will work with the Opposition(Bi-partisan) to agree a way forward. We agree that there are disenfranchised persons who deserve a crack at Bda Status. The EXISTING population and their decendents must also be considered.

I want to live in peace. This OBA stubbornness is getting on my nerves.

Because there is nothing BIPARTISAN about them, it is their way or no way!!! Believe it or not, many of us don’t think like you. This is NOTHING more then stimulating the economy, and oh yes, basic human rights!! Which were so important 100 years ago, but don’t count now!! Hiporacritical does not even begin to cover this!!

How do you work with some one who has said they don’t want to work with you? How do you agree to work with some one when one of the terms for working for them is that they get to veto anything they don’t agree too?

I don’t think the Government feel anything bi partizan is possible judging by the petty antagonistic behaviour from the combined opposition over the past couple of years. Seriously how could you work with the PLP on anything right now?

It sound like they did. They have even said it won’t be implemented till after summer do more discussion can be held. But they don’t feel this is good enough. Reverend tweed has stated they will not back down till the bill is pulled.

Before it was till discussion could take place. Once that was agreed not if is till if is pulled. That isn’t compromise and of course Chris and tweed and Jason are not tell the people what government is offering. Just saying it isn’t good enough.

They are not giving the people a choice to make a decision. No different than what the are accusing the OBA of.

This is definitely no longer about this bill. It is a pill for power to prove they are in control. Not the people.

Mark my words this is going wrong far quicker than people realize. I am pro pathway, subject to a financial commitment to the island such a purchasing property, however the government need to get a handle on this sharpish or we are all in the mire.

There will be a lot of very patient people who will be very angry if the Government give in AGAIN to the silent minority. Do what is right and give these people status – they are the life line to those who are protesting …

Stand strong, Premier Dunkley! You, and your government, are working hard to bring Bermuda out from under the devastating effects of the previous government, even though there are those who will fight against you no matter how much good you try to do!! Wishing you well and hoping for resolution soon so that everyone can move forward.

The bottom line here is that both sides have no choice that pass the act. If not the cout will continue to force immigration to give status. So wether the PLP admit it not they caused the problem and have left the OBA to fix their screwup..

So Bean and co need to just let the inevitable happen and live with their own mistakes

Okay people. Be selfish, drive the wealth out of Bermuda and you’ll be living in a third world country. If you were smart you would think seriously about the damage your doing to this fragile economy. I guess my questions is, do you really care?

Can you please let the people know what concessions were made that were denied? Because the people who are got the mike is not sharing this information with the people protesting and giving them a choice or vote on your concessions.

Also a lot of people are opposed to this because they feel that work permits will be rolled over like in the past. That seems to be the real biggest fear.

Can you explain that person’s coming here will not continue to have their work permits renewed therefore preventing us from gaining the experience and jobs they hold?

Can you please let the people know what concessions were made that were denied? Because the people who have the microphone and you are negotiating with are not sharing this information with the people protesting and giving them a choice or vote on your concessions.

Also a lot of people are opposed to this because they feel that work permits will be rolled over like in the past. That seems to be the real biggest fear.

Can you explain that person’s coming here will not continue to have their work permits renewed therefore preventing us from gaining the experience and jobs they hold?

The people of Bermuda blocked the doors to Parliament. This is a serious enough situation for the Premier to be concerned. First, it was the PRC, that would provide this group protection . NOW, IT’s A DEMAND FOR THE VOTE . DO YOU THINK PEOPLE MIGHT BE CONCERNED? The right to stay , without the right to vote . Status must be opened up to a BIG CONVERSATION. Other wise, we are fighting a racial war: Whites around Cabinet, and Blacks around Parliament. Mr. Premier, You must show leadership, and listen to what the people of Bermuda are saying to you. Let’s talk.

Interference with Legislature an offence 12 Any person who wilfully, by force or fraud, interferes or attempts to interfere— (a) with the free exercise by either House of the Legislature of its authority; or (b) with the free exercise by any legislative committee of its authority; or (c) with the free exercise by any member of either House of the Legislature of his duties or authority as such member or as a member of a legislative committee, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of $16,800 or both such imprisonment and fine. Disturbance of Legislature an offence 13 Any person, whether or not a stranger— (a) who wilfully and maliciously disturbs either House of the Legislature while in session or any legislative committee while sitting; or (b) who, while within the precincts of either House of the Legislature, does any unlawful act or conducts himself in a disorderly manner— (i) likely to interrupt the proceedings of the House in question, or of any legislative committee; or (ii) likely to impair the respect due to the authority of the House or legislative committee, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of $8,400 or both such imprisonment and fine. Punishment on summary conviction: imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of $1,680 or both such imprisonment and fine. Threat to member an offence 17 Any person who attempts, directly or indirectly, by fraud or by threats or intimidation of any kind— (a) to influence a member of either House of the Legislature in his vote, opinion, judgment or action upon any ques- tion or matter arising or expected or likely to arise in that House or in any legislative committee; or (b) to induce any such member to absent himself from that House or from any legislative committee, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 5 years or a fine of $84,000 or both such imprisonment and fine. Powers and immunities of officers 42 (1) The officers of each House of the Legislature specified in subsection (2) shall, to the extent that they act in exercise of any of the powers conferred upon them by this Act, have the powers and immunities of a police officer. (2) The officers of the House of the Legislature specified for the purposes of this section shall be— (a) as respects the Senate, the Clerk to the Senate; and (b) as respects the House of Assembly, the Clerk to the House of Assembly and the Serjeant-at-Arms. Assaulting or obstructing officer an offence 43 Any person who assaults or obstructs any officer of either House of the Legislature while acting in the execution of his duty as such commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of $8,400 or both such imprisonment and fine. Punishment on summary conviction: imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of $1,680 or both such imprisonment and fine.

Person convicted under section 15, 16 or 17 disqualified for sitting 18 Any person convicted of an offence under any of sections 15, 16 or 17 shall be disqualified for the period of seven years next following the date of his conviction for sitting or voting as a member of either House of the Legislature or of any legislative committee.

Any minister that has publicly called for Civil Disobedience and supported blocking out the Legislature should be banned for 7 years from sitting or voting in the Legislature.

Mr Dunkleys statement is short and to the point. He seems to have ditched the “right thing” and “Human rights” component as it seems clear that a large part of the population doesn’t give a damn about that unless its them personally on the wrong end. Tough times and over the last week,my respect has grown for the Premier.

Its time to get to the table and talk this out. This is not in the best intrest of my business or my employees. No product off the dock, postoffice and airport = lose of jobs and I mean this week! Figure this out OBA,PLP,BIU, NOW PLEASE!!

OBA should have published the law being voted on, and this should happen every time. Give the public time to absorb the information and have an intelligent dialogue.

However,… the premier missed the boat in this address by missing the point that these people surrounding parliament are breaking the law. full stop. this should have been addressed (fined and arrested) and not allowed. We now have anarchy.

Parliament Act:

Interference with Legislature an offence Any person who wilfully, by force or fraud, interferes or attempts to interfere— with the free exercise by either House of the Legislature of its authority; or with the free exercise by any legislative committee of its authority; or with the free exercise by any member of either House of the Legislature of his duties or authority as such member or as a member of a legislative committee, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of $16,800 or both such imprisonment and fine.

Disturbance of Legislature an offence Any person, whether or not a stranger— who wilfully and maliciously disturbs either House of the Legislature while in session or any legislative committee while sitting; or who, while within the precincts of either House of the Legislature, does any unlawful act or conducts himself in a disorderly manner— likely to interrupt the proceedings of the House in question, or of any legislative committee; or likely to impair the respect due to the authority of the House or legislative committee, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of $8,400 or both such imprisonment and fine. Punishment on summary conviction: imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of $1,680 or both such imprisonment and fine